How to Get a Federal TTB Permit

What Is a TTB Permit?

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the federal agency that regulates the production, labeling, advertising, and marketing of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Before you can legally produce, import, or wholesale alcohol, you must obtain the appropriate TTB authorization.

The Basic Permit under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act covers four classes of business, and these are the permits tracked in the federal registry behind PlainAlcohol:

• Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) Permit - Required for distilleries and spirits producers
• Bonded Winery Permit - Required for wineries producing wine
• Importer's Basic Permit - Required to import beverage alcohol into the U.S.
• Wholesaler's Basic Permit - Required to wholesale alcohol at the federal level

Who Needs a TTB Permit?

Any person or business that intends to:

• Manufacture beer, wine, or spirits for commercial sale
• Import alcoholic beverages from another country for commercial distribution
• Wholesale alcoholic beverages at the federal level
• Produce alcohol for tax purposes (even for experimental or research purposes)

Home brewers and personal winemakers are generally exempt from TTB licensing if they produce only for personal or family consumption and do not sell their products.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type

Before applying, determine which permit applies to your business. A distillery needs a DSP permit. A winery needs a Bonded Winery permit. An importer needs an Importer's Basic Permit, and a wholesale distributor needs a Wholesaler's Basic Permit. A single business can hold more than one, many distributors hold both an importer and a wholesaler permit.

Step 2: Register on Permits Online

TTB uses an online portal called Permits Online (TTB.gov) to process all permit applications. You must create an account before submitting an application. The system allows you to track your application status and receive notifications.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation

The exact documents vary by permit type, but typically include:

• Business entity documentation (articles of incorporation, LLC operating agreement, partnership agreement)
• Personal background information for all principals (owners with 10%+ ownership)
• Floor plan of the premises
• Lease or deed for the production facility
• Description of operations (what you will produce, equipment list)
• Federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

Step 4: Complete Background Investigation

TTB conducts a background investigation on all applicants and principals. This includes a criminal history check. Certain criminal convictions related to liquor law violations may disqualify an applicant.

Step 5: Await TTB Review

Processing times vary by permit type and by how complete the application is. Distilled Spirits Plant permits generally take the longest to review; Bonded Winery and Basic Permit applications for importers and wholesalers are typically faster. The TTB publishes current average processing times on its website, and they shift with application volume. Complex applications, or those with open questions, take longer, the TTB may issue a "deficiency letter" requesting more information during review.

Step 6: State and Local Licenses

A federal TTB permit does not replace state or local licenses. You will also need to obtain a state license from your state's alcoholic beverage control (ABC) agency, and local permits from your city or county. Many states require the federal permit before they will issue a state license.

Fees and Costs

TTB permits themselves are generally free, there is no federal application fee for a DSP permit, a Bonded Winery permit, or an importer or wholesaler Basic Permit. However, costs include:

• Excise taxes on production (federal excise tax applies to beer, wine, and spirits)
• Legal fees if you use an attorney (many applicants do)
• State licensing fees (vary significantly by state)
• Bond requirements for some permit types

Common Application Mistakes

• Incomplete background forms - All principals must be listed; missing one causes delays
• Inadequate floor plan - The plan must clearly show the bonded premises boundaries
• Starting operations early - Producing before receiving your TTB authorization is a federal violation
• Wrong permit type - Operating under the wrong Basic Permit class (for example, importing under a wholesaler-only permit) is a violation

After You Receive Your Permit

Once approved, you must:

• Pay federal excise taxes on production on a regular schedule
• File operational reports with TTB (monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on production volume)
• Maintain accurate production and inventory records
• Get label approval (COLA, Certificate of Label Approval) before distributing products
• Notify TTB of significant changes to your operation (location, ownership, equipment)

Frequently asked questions

Where does PlainAlcohol's permit data come from?

Every permit count on this site comes from the TTB "List of Permittees," the federal registry of active FAA Basic Permits released by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau through its FOIA reading room (published April 2025, public domain). It covers wineries, distilled spirits plants, importers, and wholesalers. No proprietary aggregators are used.

Does this site cover breweries?

No. Breweries operate under a Brewer's Notice filed under the Internal Revenue Code, which the TTB treats as protected taxpayer information (IRC §6103) and does not publish. Because PlainAlcohol is built only on the public List of Permittees, it does not include or estimate brewery counts.

Does this guide replace legal advice?

No. This is a plain-language overview of the federal permit process. Requirements change, and state and local licensing adds a separate layer. Confirm current rules with the TTB directly and consult an attorney familiar with alcohol law before applying.

Is a federal permit enough to start operating?

No. A TTB Basic Permit is the federal authorization, but you also need a license from your state's alcoholic beverage control agency and any local permits. Many states require the federal permit before they will issue a state license.

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Every figure on PlainAlcohol is rendered directly from federal TTB permit data, no number is typed in by an editor. This guide draws directly on the TTB List of Permittees, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.